Craque Heads

RONALDO REBORN

Ronaldo has declared himself “reborn” ahead of his first official game as Gremio manager versus Caxias on Wednesday.

The Porto Alegre team face regional outfit Caxias in the Brazilian State Championships and Ronaldo has demonstrated his excitement for the occasion.

“This is a fantastic feeling for me returning to a stage I love. I owe a lot to Brazilian football and I’m back for some more.

“The time for my debut is near and it’s very exciting to get started. I feel reborn again.”

The Brazilian legend may be starting now but he already has his eye set on the trophy, suggesting that Gremio are hot favourites for the State Championships.

“The State Championship are very important to all. It’s an opportunity to get our hands on the trophy which I would believe us to be favourites for.

“If we can win, most likely it will be versus Internacional who are also favourites. To beat not
only a favourite but a rival can generate excellent momentum.

“But this isn’t about preparation for the Brazilian League. We want to win the State Championship. We have a young and hungry squad so you can bet we’ll be giving it 100%.”

January 2013

23.01.13 – Arena Gremio - Gaucho State Championship
Gremio v Caxias

2 – 0
Biteco (38) Welliton (90+2)

26.01.13 – Passo d’Areia - Gaucho State Championship
Sao Jose v Gremio

0 – 0

28.01.13 – Arena Gremio - Gaucho State Championship
Gremio v Novo Hamburgo

4 – 0
Biteco (34) Vargas (53) Cris (77) Baggio O.G. (87)

30.01.13 – Arena Gremio – Copa Libertadores Preliminary Round 1st Leg
Gremio v Quito

2 – 0
Souza (11) Vargas (20)

Gaucho State Championship Table

Gremio’s Player of the Month

Guilherme Biteco

The young lad on loan was simply superb in the manner in which he attacked. He created chance after chance for our team and added two goals of his own. A real talent!

Review: I would have like to have beaten Sao Jose as we were clear favourites but we didn’t which was a true shame. Nevertheless we won our surrounding matches. It’s early in the season still so we are finding our feet but I’m delighted we are defending so well no matter who is thrown in.

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BAD MOVE FOR MATTHEUS

Gremio manager Ronaldo has declared his disappointment at Mattheus’ decision to join Hoffenheim on deadline day.

The 18 year old decided to reject a new contract from Flamengo and sign for the Bundesliga club after they met his £925,000 release clause.

Ronaldo as an ambassador for the 2014 Brazil World Cup has become a keen admirer and promoter of young Brazilian talent but felt as though Mattheus took the wrong avenue.

“Mattheus is very promising so I’m not surprised in the amount of interest he has received but I don’t think a move to Hoffenheim is best suited for him.

“No disrespect to Hoffenheim, Mattheus is 18 and I can’t help but think that he would develop more appropriately in Brazil. European football is highly competitive and as we’ve seen before with the likes of Freddy Adu or Kerlon, today’s news isn’t necessarily tomorrow’s debate.”

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February 2013 Part 1

02.02.13 – Estadio dos Quero-Queros - Gaucho State Championship
Ceramica v Gremio

0 – 3
Biteco (13) Moreno (30) Santos (81)

04.02.13 – Arena Gremio - Gaucho State Championship
Gremio v Pelotas

3 – 1
Biteco (37) Moreno (70, 88) - Wesley (27)

06.02.13 – La Casa Blanca – Copa Libertadores Preliminary Round 2nd Leg
Quito v Gremio

1 – 3
Moya (2) – Perea O.G. (45+1) Souza (53) Barcos (55)
(1-5 agg.)

09.02.13 – Estadio 19 de Outubro - Gaucho State Championship
Sao Luiz v Gremio

0 – 5
Santos (13) Vargas (18, 20) Werley (60, 75)

13.02.13 – Arena Gremio - Gaucho State Championship
Gremio v Veranopolis

5 – 0
Kelvin (4) Barcos (5, 86 pen) Romario (32) Bertoglio (75)

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